Everyone Can Play
Silver Nshimirimana, Kenya
KLABU is a social startup that uses the power of sport and community to support refugees who are rebuilding their lives. Based in Amsterdam, the organisation works closely with refugee and host communities around the world, including in Kalobeyei (Kenya), Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh), Lesvos (Greece) and Ter Apel (Netherlands) to build their own sports 'clubhouses' that are hubs for play, entrepreneurship, good health and education. Partners and supporters include UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency and the French football club Paris Saint-Germain. Silver Nshimirimana is originally from Burundi.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Silver Nshimirimana, aged 25 years old. I am Burundian by nationality, and I am currently living in Kenya, in the Kalobeyei settlement camp. I like football and am a big fan of different teams, but mostly Manchester United. I played for a team during my secondary school studies where I could play with my friends. I always play football every day around noon and also when matches are organised.
I left my country because of violence. We fled long ago when I was only about two months old. It is like I was born in Kalobeyei!
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
I wanted to show how beautiful the game is. There are different groups of people, for example children playing different games and also some of the teams playing in tournaments. The skills impress me so much. All photos were taken at the Kalobeyei settlement camp, in village one, village two and village three.
I took photos of the football tournaments which were organised by KLABU in coordination with the youth department of the Lutheran World Federation. I often take photos of sports events in Kalobeyei like an athletics event some years back.
The teams I showed were Queens FC and Rabita FC. Queens FC is the girls’ football team representing Kalobeyei in the Divas League - a league that consists of girls’ teams from Kakuma Refugee Camp and the host community. Rabita FC is a boys’ football club in Kalobeyei and it is one of the best teams in Kalobeyei Village 1.
The photos expressed how youth are training to improve their football skills, and also showing the world how ambitious they are to reach their dreams.
Why is football important to you and your community? What role does football and KLABU play in your life?
Football brings unity, creates relationships and gives opportunities to some people in life, such as earning a living from playing football.
KLABU are trying their best to improve or develop youth talents by supporting them or providing them with different training programmes and football materials.
